By Daniel C. Potts, MD, FAAN
"The
true worth of a (person) is not to be found in (that person)
him/herself, but in the colours and textures that come alive in others." - Albert Schweitzer
My
motivation to write about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias was
my father, Lester, an artist who had Alzheimer’s. A neurologist and only
child, I found myself struggling in a dark place in 2002, just after my
father’s diagnosis. I felt like a restrained bystander bearing witness
to a crime I could do nothing about.
As
strange as it may seem, caregiving skills were not taught in medical
school. Thorough knowledge of the pathology and clinical manifestations
of Alzheimer’s was not helping in the day to day challenges being faced
mainly by my mother, Dad’s primary caregiver. I felt I didn’t know
enough to help. Seeking
the best opportunities possible to support Dad, we enrolled him in a
wonderful adult daycare center, Caring Days in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and
immediately Dad’s affect brightened and behavior and interaction skills
improved. This was largely due to the validating, dignifying care he
received there.
Then
came the art. A volunteer artist with a knack for sharing his gift came
to work with the clients, and Dad showed a previously unknown talent
for artistic expression. Over four years, he painted 100 original
watercolors. His creativity was transformative not only for him, but for
all those around him. It seemed the spirit of the very one with the
disease was lifting the spirits of all of us.
I
remember waking in the early morning hours of January 1, 2006 with a
poem in my head. Writing it feverishly, I then read what seemed
unfamiliar words. Yet I recognized its beauty, and shared it with
others. Thus, began my exploration of a newly found gift. This gifting
had been kindled by Dad’s art, causing colors and textures to “come
alive in others," as Dr. Schweitzer describes.
